Chapter 8 — Empress Dowager Marries the Regent Prince

I opened my eyes, and there was only a sliver of clarity left in my eyes. I cannot let him die in vain. We cannot let the Tham family collapse like that. We started a hunger strike. This body is already weak. If you don't eat or drink, the lamp will soon run out of oil. The prisoners were startled and immediately reported it to the top. On the third day, when I was about to not be able to hold on anymore. The prison door opened once again. This time, the person who came was neither Bui Triet nor a eunuch. It was a woman wearing a gorgeous flower outfit and an arrogant look. It's Tham Lien. She chased all the good guys out and entered alone. She looked down at me from above, like she was looking at a humble ant.

"Sister, why have you turned yourself into this?"

Her voice was filled with gloating over the pain of others.

"So pitiful."

I no longer have the strength to pay attention to her. She didn't care, just continued slowly.

"Do you know?"

"Father and elder brother have been escorted back to the capital."

"The crime is treason."

"The evidence is you."

My heart clenched violently.

"Your Majesty has spoken."

She squatted down, leaned close to my ear, and used a voice that only the two of us could hear.

"You just need to write a confession, claiming that it was your father who told you to hide the secret map."

"He will spare his brother's life, only banish him to guard the border, and never return to the capital for the rest of his life."

She looked at me, smiling cruelly like a snake.

"Sister, this is your last chance."

"Using an old man's life in exchange for the life of the brother I love the most."

"This deal is very good, right?"

I looked at her proud face. Suddenly, I mustered all my remaining strength, raised my hand, and grabbed her hair tightly. Tham Lien screamed shrilly. I pulled her hard in front of me, staring into her eyes.

"Tham Lien."

My voice was hoarse, but filled with overwhelming hatred.

"You think... you won?"

Tham Lien was in so much pain that tears welled up in her eyes.

"Let go! You crazy!"

"I tell you." I grit my teeth and say every word. "As long as I live one day, don't you dare sit in that position."

"All your life... you've been just a lowly concubine!"

Tham Lien was so angry that his whole body was shaking. She struggled out of my hand, stood up, and then fiercely kicked me straight in the chest. I was kicked and fell to the ground, almost unable to breathe.

"Tham Vi, you really don't drink the wine you were invited to drink, but you want to drink the wine as punishment!"

She reached out to smooth her tangled hair, her eyes full of resentment.

"Do you think that if you don't admit guilt, His Majesty will have no choice but to deal with the Tham family?"

"I tell you, it's useless!"

"His Majesty has long wanted to touch the Tham family, and you just gave him the perfect excuse!"

"You, your stupid brother, and that old man who is about to die, just wait for the whole family to reunite properly at the execution ground!"

Having finished speaking, she laughed loudly with joy. Then turned around to leave. Just as she walked to the prison door, a cold voice rang out from outside.

"Who gave you permission to touch this king's person?"

Tham Lien's laughter immediately stopped. A man wearing a dark royal robe, handsome but with a cold expression, slowly walked in. He didn't even glance at Tham Lien Well, just go straight to my prison door. As soon as Tham Lien saw clearly who was coming, his face immediately changed and he quickly bowed.

"My concubine... I would like to see... see His Royal Highness the Regent."

Prince Regent. Bui Triet's paternal uncle, also the only prince with a different surname in the current Dai Zhou Dynasty, who holds heavy military power and the power to control the dynasty... Co Huyen Diep. At the same time, he was also the only person in his previous life who, after Bui Triet gave me death, led his army straight into the palace to reclaim justice for me. Co Huyen Diep's eyes stopped on me. In those deep eyes, no emotions could be seen. He just looked at me quietly. Look at the prison uniform on my body, my face covered in dirt and the shackles on my hands and feet.

"Stand up."

He told me. The voice is not loud, but carries a majesty that makes it impossible for others to argue. I tried to stand up. But my body is so weak that I fall back every time I try. He frowned slightly. Then talk to the guard behind. The guard immediately stepped forward to open the prison door. Co Huyen Diep walked in. The stench in the dungeon made him frown slightly in discomfort. He walked in front of me, took off his outer robe and put it on me.